Go for it
The Aussie is a really nice locker. I do hear mine ratchet with the window down and when it's pretty quiet. But other than that I rarely notice it. It should basically be locked at all times when you've got your foot on the gas, but when turning if you don't gas it hard through the turn the inside wheel will drive the vehicle. In which case it is unlocked so that you can make your turn. Like has been mentioned it can kind of push you a little further, but I've gotten so used to it that I don't notice a thing. Haven't had a chance to test it in winter yet, so I'm just waiting on some snowfall here to see how well I can do some donuts this year. I've been trying to figure out gravel on it, I would think it would cause the rear slide out a bit more, haven't really noticed it happen, but just something I've kept an eye on when cornering on gravel.
My parents have a long, steep, gravel driveway and it definitely does its job heading up that. I can feel it push the Explorer straight up that hill and even when I turn the wheels it still pushes it straight up more than turning, it does turn, but it takes more input than with the open.
If you're like me the reason you're thinking of getting the Aussie is the price and not liking the feeling of pretty much having your balls cut off. At least limited slip makes me feel like I've got some real rear wheel traction and should hopefully be able to do better than a 1 tire fire. Side note though, I can't spin the tires at all now, probably a combination of the locker and the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KOs.
Honestly, it's a good investment if you'll ever see more than just the paved road with your vehicle. I like it too for the boat ramps. Even with just a 1000lb boat and trailer retrieving the boat would usually get at least one tire to slip on the boat ramp and then all I'd get was spin. Not having to lock in 4-high to retrieve the boat is a blessing in itself.
I've never had any odd issues on the highway with it locking and unlocking randomly. Follow the advice that Aussie sends with the locker for driving and you should be fine. Take it easy on icy and snow covered roads, don't forget it's back there and drive a little more sensible and you'll be just fine. I barely notice mine most of the time. My guess is 4wd will be your best friend in the winter, just a lot easier to steer where you want I would guess since the front would pull you where you turn rather than the rear sliding around it.
If you have any questions too, Aussie is great to deal with. Any other info on the locker itself can be found on
http://www.offroadlockers.com/
Always keep your tires inflated to the same level with the locker, the different pressures can cause the locker to lock and unlock constantly, thus wearing out your locker much sooner than it should. But I believe that Aussie says that the part should outlast your factory rear end parts.
If you do decide to get it, don't hesitate to ask questions, it took my brother and I almost 8 hours to do it because we didn't understand the instructions that well. When they say square hole, it's the oblong/oval shaped hole, put the pins in there first then slide them into the round holes designed for them. Then place the spring in that open oval/oblong hole. Don't put the spacers in backwards and be patient. It's a PITA the first time around, but now that I've done it, I could do it over and over again, and probably only take 2 hours.
